Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla on Monday demanded the restoration of statehood and democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that bureaucratic rule in the Union Territory has widened the gap between the administration and the people.
Bhalla launched a scathing attack on the administration, claiming that people were facing unprecedented hardships due to administrative failure and “anti-people policies”.
“We reiterate our demand for restoration of statehood and democratic institutions. The absence of full statehood has widened the gap between the administration and the common people,” he told reporters here.
Bhalla alleged that governance in Jammu and Kashmir had become heavily bureaucratic, leaving citizens disconnected from the decision-making process.
He also accused the Centre of imposing “anti-people and anti-trade policies” through measures such as property tax and increased GST, which, he said, had added to public distress.
The Congress leader claimed that unemployment among educated youth had reached alarming levels, while inflation and rising prices of essential commodities had badly affected middle-class and economically weaker families.
He alleged that the government had failed to create meaningful employment opportunities and claimed that setbacks in the private sector and tourism industry had worsened the economic situation in the Union Territory.
Bhalla also highlighted the issues faced by daily-wagers, contractual employees and temporary workers, saying they continued to protest for regularisation and release of pending wages.
Criticising the condition of civic infrastructure, he said people in both urban and rural areas were facing severe inconvenience due to damaged roads, poor sanitation, shortage of drinking water and unscheduled power cuts.
According to him, despite repeated claims of development by the administration, the ground reality reflected neglect and poor governance.
He further alleged that projects related to healthcare, education and public infrastructure were either progressing at a slow pace or remained stalled.
Bhalla also expressed concern over the reported neglect and poor maintenance of tourism properties in places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, saying such negligence was harming the image and economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Former minister Mulla Ram expressed concern over extensive crop damage caused by recent hailstorms in several rural areas and demanded immediate assessment and compensation for affected farmers.
He noted that farmers were already struggling with rising agricultural input costs and unpredictable weather conditions.
He emphasised the need to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and ensure greater public participation in governance and development activities.
He said the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections would play a vital role in restoring democratic participation at the grassroots level and urged party workers to intensify outreach programmes in villages and wards.
